Griezmann’s ‘anti-Barca’ clause

Griezmann would cost Barca €200m

Contracts are complicated things these days with each one made up of various clauses and the like, these clause normally relate to appearance bonuses, extensions if the player plays a certain number of games etc however, it appears that Antoine Griezmann’s Atletico Madrid contract has one particular clause aimed solely at La Liga rivals Barcelona.

Several days ago, it was reported that Griezmann’s release clause had dropped from €200m to €100m, however, reports in Spain now claim that the €100m price applies to all clubs with just one exception: Barcelona, for whom the price remains €200m.

That’s according to Spanish publication ‘Mundo Deportivo’, who claim that ‘Los Colchoneros’ have decided to single out the Catalan giants.

The newspaper reports that the reason behind this clause is simply that Atletico do not want the player to join Ernesto Valverde’s side and so inserted the ‘anti-Barca’ clause as a way of trying to keep the French international out of Barca’s reach.

The clause means that long-term suitors Manchester United could swoop for Griezmann in January for €100m, whereas Barca would have to pay twice that.

Could such a clause really exist? Well, with Griezmann expected to leave the Spanish capital once the club’s transfer ban is lifted, we may soon find out.